Everything you need to know before you begin By Rick Rodgers

C arefully select the contractors you want to meet with, but only ask for bids from the three that you like most.

Be Selective

"Don't get a reputation in town for being a window-shopper," says Mike Northfield, owner of Xcel Renovation and Remodeling in Maplewood, NJ. "Respect the contractor's time in the same way that you want them to respect your time."

Don't Blindly Take the Lowest Bid

If a bid is much lower than others, it could mean that the contractor is working with a small crew, which could cause a longer construction period that misses deadlines. It also signals that the contractor may be just starting in the business. Choose a contractor with at least five years of local experience.